Discussion

Broken Record--the bar/restaurant, not me repeating myself

After tips from Yelp and Tablehopper (where was chowhound?!?), we went to Broken Record in Excelsior last night. While mainly a bar with an incredible selection of whiskeys, ryes, scotches, etc., there is a kitchen in back knocking out some great bbq sandwiches and other delicious food items.

We had a pulled pork sandwich and a bbq brisket sandwich. Both were great. I am sure some bbq sticklers will call fouls all over the place, but whatever, the sandwiches tasted great. The pork had a really tangy slaw (they even call it "tangy slaw") and a nice vinegary sauce. The brisket was cubed, not chopped and had a nice red sauce on it. The rolls are even homemade. We also had brussel sprouts and mac and cheese, both of which were very good (the brussel sprouts were better then the mac n cheese). Finally, we had vanilla bean pudding with pecan pie bits and bruleed bananas. Yum!

The kitchen is run by a young couple who have had previous stints at Boulevard, campton place, Firefly, Range and some other places. they also have oyster po boys, various sausages like rabbit, wild boar and alligator, and a few other things. We can't wait to go back and try the rest of the menu.

I agree. We've had some great bar food there. We've tried a few of the sausages along with the brisket, a ribs special one night, the hush puppies, and the frito pie. The service has been friendly and helpful, both at the kitchen and the bar.

Its been mentioned a few times. Most of my friends go for the whisky & rye selection, not the food.

That said, the new couple in the kitchen has improved the food offerings substantially - before them it was very hit & miss. Last summer they seemed to have a hard time even keeping it open regular hours.

I think the couple's guest appearance at Mission Street Food increased their visibility.

So I guess I didn't search enough:) It has been mentioned a few times. Anyway, it is great and people should go there. And the bartender says he makes a great Sazerac, so even more reason for me to return. Now, what else is great in the Excelsior? (And do you call it "The Excelsior" or just "Excelsior"?)

When they first opened, the customers were only interested on beer & straight drinks. The first time I went there, the bartender had to look up how to make a Manhattan - I found that pretty shocking, given their booze selection.

But they seem to be working on the cocktail skills so that's another nice improvement.

Right. Most of these laws are just plain stupid rules. These rules are sucking the spirit out of the city. Look at SOMA, it's a shadow of what it was fifteen years ago.

Anyway, Broken Record is amazing. The food is just great. They should send the people running Baby Blues over here to learn how to make good pulled pork sandwiches. And the drinks at the bar are $5 and as good as the $13 drinks from the famed "mixologists."

Now I will start sounding like a broken record. This place is great. Had another brisket sandwich, as well as the buffalo wings and collard greens and biscuit. Everything is delicious. The wings were big, crispy and spicy. The collard greens were the best I have had. I can't believe this place isn't more popular for the food. It should be on everyone's cheap eats list. Can't wait to return more times. Hopefully the stupid zoning laws won't hurt their chances of survival.